Elantric's Computer

Started by Elantric, May 25, 2012, 07:39:08 AM

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bbob

Quote from: Elantric on July 12, 2016, 12:03:55 PM
Those "Real Time tasks" require a very high performance Laptop

Arghh...I thought I was onto something good

Elantric

I'm sure the  Acer Aspire R13 will be OK

But for $600 consider a gently used MacBook Pro

bbob

Quote from: Elantric on July 12, 2016, 01:16:28 PM
But for $600 consider a gently used MacBook Pro

Most of the used 2011, 2012 MacBook Pros on our local Craigslist have been upgraded to El Capitan.

Is it possible to downgrade a MacBook to a prior OS?

Thanks.

Elantric

Typically no

Hold out for a used Mac with Yosemite

Elantric

#154
There remains a bloat with El Capitan
I remain on Yosemite and I never buy new - current fave is a late 2011 17" MacBook Pro with I7 ( the last good Mac IMHO because the user can upgrade the Ram to 16gb and install Dual SSD drives or one SSD and one BluRay burner still has built in SPDIF I/O and 24 bit stereo Line level I/O and a PCI Expresscard34 expansion port I use for proprietary A/V hardware (Matrox/ RME)

They killed that goose after the passing of Steve Jobs

Seek one of those  while you can

if you want to work and be productive a long time , use a dedicated DAW / Music Computer and never connect to Internet. That's what the remaining pro studios enforce with their Protools computer.

Always use a separate computer to try new things or connect to the net , but by design you accept the pre planned obsolescence that occurs when you apply the latest updates of your OS and Apps

They want to make you unhappy with the performance loss after the latest bloat ware is installed which forces you to buy a newer faster computer every few years. Its by design

A gently used 2012 Mac Mini is Good and fast and affordable

My 2013 15" MacBook retina ( like all new MacBooks ) has soldered down Ram and no ability to upgrade. I have 8gb but that's not enough ( need 16gb minimum which is around $110 , but compare prices of a new Mac with 16GB RAM , Apple is laughing all the way to the bank with the premium they charge for RAM

Get an i5 or I7 with ability to upgrade RAM and hard drive

That restricts you to a very expensive new Mac that will be buggy in  9 weeks when OSX 10.12 arrives.

That's why I sought out a used Mac and saved $$

Can't wait to go 100% Linux

chrish

Why do you say never conect a music daw computer to the internet? Is it because of malware or because that computer should be optimized for audio performance?

kenact

Quote from: chrish on August 21, 2016, 09:09:36 AM
Why do you say never conect a music daw computer to the internet? Is it because of malware or because that computer should be optimized for audio performance?

IMHO A music DAW Computer should only be connected to the Internet when it needs an update. When it's being used as a music DAW, you do not want the processor doing anything else.
Godin Session & Montreal FTP, LGXT, LGX SA, Redline, ACS, A12, A11, A10, A4
Danoblaster Baritone w/GK-3
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Elantric

#157
Quote
IMHO A music DAW Computer should only be connected to the Internet when it needs an update. When it's being used as a music DAW, you do not want the processor doing anything else.

exactly

also if you have paying clients for your studio, they want efficient use of time, and high reliability.
and because file sharing and co- production at different studios was required,  using Protools was non-negotiable ( I only own  protools to be employable as a guitarist, its still the dominant DAW app in union studios.)

All pro studios (or pro musicians working at home ) that I've been involved with have (at minimum) two computers or separate swappable main drives.


One that is 100% working as  main DAW ( digital audio workstation computer)

and another to test  / evaluate updates from the internet and try new software apps. only after rigorous testing do updates migrate to the 100% working DAW system.

There are many pro studios today that use an 8 year old MacPro running Protools 6, and they remain booked because they are efficient and know how to mic drums , guitar, vocals and have an array of pristine clean analog preamps in racks feeding the Digidesign Protools HD rack boxes.

My Macbook is faster  - but Im not as swift with protools editing as the guy who does it for a living on an 8 year old Mac Pro

alexmcginness

#158
I use to build my own machines but the last upgrade for my studio I went with used. You get great machines at a fraction of the price.

I bought three HP Z series workstations. 2 of them are dual XEON hexcore machines and one dual quad core. Ive got them hooked together with ethernet and am using Vienna ensemble pro and FX Teleport to make two of the machines as servers for the main music machine. The servers are used for CPU hungry plugs and instruments freeing up the main machines horsepower for low latency tracking. When mixing down you have all the horsepower of the three machines for all the plugs you can throw at it as the latency doesnt have to be as low for mixing.
   The HP Z series machines are industrial machines and are built like tanks. Theyre not cheap new but as I said, buy used and save a bundle.
   One thing youll definately need to do is image your C drive. I use Acronis Drive image, but theres others out there. If you have a systems failure, you can be back up and running, even if you have to replace the drive, in about 15 minutes or less depending on how big the c drive is.
   Another must have app is Hard Disk Sentinel. It keeps an eye on the health of your HD and lets you know well in advance of an impending failure so you can save the info off of the drive before it dies and they all eventually do.
VG-88V2, GR-50, GR-55, 4 X VG-99s,2 X FC-300,  2 X GP-10 AXON AX 100 MKII, FISHMAN TRIPLE PLAY,MIDX-10, MIDX-20, AVID 11 RACK, BEHRINGER FCB 1010, LIVID GUITAR WING, ROLAND US-20, 3 X GUYATONE TO-2. MARSHALL BLUESBREAKER, SERBIAN ELIMINATOR AMP. GR-33.

gumtown

Any valuable "working" system should never be connected 'on line' unless it is necessary.

You don't want to see "WINDOWS IS INSTALLING 35 UPDATES !!" then have your D.A.W never work the same again. (usually clicking in the audio stream)

Your valued customer won't be happy to hear their recording has been hacked out of your system and broadcast to the world before you have finished it. (SONY)
Free "GR-55 FloorBoard" editor software from https://sourceforge.net/projects/grfloorboard/

alexmcginness

Quote from: gumtown on August 21, 2016, 08:24:47 PM
Any valuable "working" system should never be connected 'on line' unless it is necessary.

You don't want to see "WINDOWS IS INSTALLING 35 UPDATES !!" then have your D.A.W never work the same again. (usually clicking in the audio stream)

Your valued customer won't be happy to hear their recording has been hacked out of your system and broadcast to the world before you have finished it. (SONY)

I am literally shocked at the number of people that dont image their system. WHY!!!!!!?????

On countless forums every day I see people cryin the blues that their computer got dinged by a virus or " the updates "  and my computer doesnt work the same now, blues. Hard drive space is so cheap now. Buy a 2 or three TB HD and use it for image backups.
   If youve just got a new computer, get Acronis drive image and make a backup of the clean install of windows. Once your machine is running right and all your drivers and software is installed ....IMAGE IT. Do images as youre setting up the machine. Before you do the Windows update image the machine as insurance. You can set it up so that this can be done daily either doing full backups or incrimental ones at a time of your choosing. Theres no excuse now for not getting the best insurance against the time consuming task of dealing with drive failure or viruses any more.
  Keep your audio machines offline as much as possible. If you have to authorize new software theres usually an option to authorize it from another machine. DO THAT.
   There should be a sticky with this information on every forum to tell members how to cover their buts so this doesnt happen to them.
   Image your machines. Get Hard Disk Sentinel to monitor your Hard Drives health. Remember the three most important words in computing: BACKUP, BACKUP AND THE MOST IMPORTANT ONE....BACKUP.
   
VG-88V2, GR-50, GR-55, 4 X VG-99s,2 X FC-300,  2 X GP-10 AXON AX 100 MKII, FISHMAN TRIPLE PLAY,MIDX-10, MIDX-20, AVID 11 RACK, BEHRINGER FCB 1010, LIVID GUITAR WING, ROLAND US-20, 3 X GUYATONE TO-2. MARSHALL BLUESBREAKER, SERBIAN ELIMINATOR AMP. GR-33.

rolandvg99

Backup image(s) on local USB and WD MyCloud, files on local HDD, NAS and JottaCloud. If I lose something there is bound to be a copy somewhere. The question is where. ;)
To V or not to V: That is the question.

My little Soundcloud corner

alexmcginness

Quote from: rolandvg99 on August 22, 2016, 07:13:49 AM
Backup image(s) on local USB and WD MyCloud, files on local HDD, NAS and JottaCloud. If I lose something there is bound to be a copy somewhere. The question is where. ;)

  Theres an app called Where Is It. You scan your HDs and you can find what you need in a jiffy.
VG-88V2, GR-50, GR-55, 4 X VG-99s,2 X FC-300,  2 X GP-10 AXON AX 100 MKII, FISHMAN TRIPLE PLAY,MIDX-10, MIDX-20, AVID 11 RACK, BEHRINGER FCB 1010, LIVID GUITAR WING, ROLAND US-20, 3 X GUYATONE TO-2. MARSHALL BLUESBREAKER, SERBIAN ELIMINATOR AMP. GR-33.

Elantric

#163
http://tim.id.au/laptops/apple/

http://manuals-apple.9manuals.com

Add Bluetooth 4.0 LE support to your Mac
http://www.macworld.co.uk/how-to/mac-software/get-continuity-handoff-airdrop-on-old-mac-3582632/

GMYLE Bluetooth Adapter Dongle, Ultra-Mini USB Broadcom BCM20702 Class 2 Bluetooth V4.0 Dual Mode Dongle Wireless Adapter with LED $8.00
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007MKMJGO/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=AWSTL9OR9CVRW


Elantric

#165
I had a bit of a scare this past week - my 2011 iMac suddenly died - and would not power up.

I purchased this as a "Refurbished" iMac 27" direct from Apple back in 2013 for around $1600

and of course i do not have "Apple Care"





Upon investigation, I determined the internal Delta 310 watt power supply had failed - a common issue for 2011 iMac's
http://arstechnica.com/civis/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=1266261
Late last week I ordered a replacement Lite-On power supply on ebay for $50 
http://www.ebay.com/itm/252431601532?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

and this evening I swapped out the power supplies and now have a 100% working iMac 27"  again following these instructions
https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iMac+Intel+27-Inch+EMC+2309+and+2374+Power+Supply+Replacement/1635
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHbx9IUW7eCeJsC4sBCTNBA

rolandvg99

Nice to hear that you got it up and running. Good thing it was a 2011 iMac and not the new slim ones which are glued together like there's no tomorrow. (Apple REALLY don't want people to part upgrade their own computers...)
To V or not to V: That is the question.

My little Soundcloud corner

Elantric

#167
I was looking at a late 2015 iMac , but it's true , the only user upgrade now is RAM , the SSD hard drive no longer user upgrade able , like current MacBook Pro retina they adopted a faster bus for the drive to provide faster throughput for rendering 4k video - but it's now soldered to the logic board

My next desktop Mac will be a hackintosh
or keep maintaining my "fleet" of 2011 era machines

https://www.macupgrades.co.uk/store/machine.php?name=macbook-pro17-uni


Kenmac

Elantric, if you change your mind and want to go for a "pure" Mac, I've found that this place has pretty good prices on used Macs: http://www.macofalltrades.com/  BTW I didn't mention this before but one of the reasons I developed an interest in Macs is because I've been dual booting my Samsung laptop with Windows 7 and Mavericks for the past couple of years.
"Let them brush your rock and roll hair."

pasha811

Late 2013 'thin' iMac 21" here. Every day I scratch my head on why I bought the standard model with 5400 RPM drive. I will end up making an external SSD my boot drive to speed it up but to upgrade RAM you have to disassemble it completely.. and the problem is not to tear it apart but putting it back and glue the display (double tape).
I used to build my own Windows beige boxes in the past.. but I kinda lost my touch and I think it's not a good idea to tamper with it...Apple really it's all about form over function these days.. they are loosing their magic. So expensive.. no upgrade, you have to max them out since day one. I fear that the next iteration will have an USB-C port and nothing else.  ???
Listen to my music at :  http://alonetone.com/pasha/

whippinpost91850


Elantric

#171
QuoteLate 2013 'thin' iMac 21" here. Every day I scratch my head on why I bought the standard model with 5400 RPM drive. I will end up making an external SSD my boot drive to speed it up but to upgrade RAM you have to disassemble it completely.. and the problem is not to tear it apart but putting it back and glue the display (double tape).
This might help
https://www.ifixit.com/Device/iMac_Intel_21.5%22_EMC_2638
https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iMac+Intel+21.5-Inch+EMC+2638+RAM+Replacement/28795
https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iMac+Intel+21.5-Inch+EMC+2638+Hard+Drive+Replacement/28781

but its not for those with weak knees



QuoteApple really it's all about form over function these days.. they are loosing their magic.

I agree - I dont think its a coincidence that bulk of the magic died when Steve J died

( . )( . )

Sounds like it's time to start a hackintosh thread (if there isn't one already).


aliensporebomb

On the newer iMacs with thunderbolt ports you can at least have an external SSD if you go that route and get decent speed.  I've got the 27" i7 model (my wife ended up getting my older i7 iMac that I could have added an internal SSD to...).

I still miss the old tower case models where you could add a bunch of drives and extra ram (although my old G5 tower was maxed at 8 gigs, I have 32 on this iMac) and swap the video card.  I miss those days.
My music projects online at http://www.aliensporebomb.com/

GK Devices:  Roland VG-99, Boss GP-10, Boss SY-1000.